Understanding "Except" vs "Besides" and Similar Expressions: A Guide for ESL Learners

When you're learning English, certain words can be tricky, especially when they seem to overlap in meaning. "Except" and "besides" are two words that often confuse learners because they appear in similar sentence structures but actually mean different things. In this post, we’ll break down the differences between "except" and "besides" in a way that’s easy to understand, and we’ll also look at a few alternatives to help you express yourself more naturally in everyday conversation.

1. What Does "Except" Mean?

"Except" is used when you want to exclude something or someone from a group. Think of it as saying, "everything else is included, but not this one thing." It points out what's left out.

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Example Sentences:

• Everyone came except John.
  (Everyone came, but not John.)

• I like all the dishes except the salad.
  (I like everything but not the salad.)

As you can see, "except" focuses on exclusion.

What Does "Besides" Mean?

On the flip side, "besides" is used to add something to a group. It's like saying, "not only this, but also that."

The original meaning of "beside" is "next to"

Example Sentences:

• Besides John, everyone came to the party.
  (John and everyone else came to the party.)

• I like all the dishes besides the salad.
  (I like the salad and everything else.)

"Besides" is all about inclusion—adding to the list or group.

Key Differences Between "Except" and "Besides"

• "Except" = Exclusion (leaving out someone or something)
• "Besides" = Inclusion (adding someone or something)

Even though "except" and "besides" might seem similar in structure, their meanings are pretty different. "Except" leaves something out, and "besides" brings something in.

What About "Except for"? 

Sometimes, you might hear "except for," and it's pretty similar to "except," but with a slight difference. "Except for" is more specific—it often highlights a particular exception within a broader statement.

Example Sentences:

• Everyone except for John went to the meeting.
  (Everyone went to the meeting, but John did not.)

• The trip was great except for the bad weather.
  (The trip was great, but the bad weather was a downside.)

"Except for" is typically used when you're talking about specific details that are exceptions to a general statement, while "except" is more direct and broad.

Text Comparison Table: "Except" vs "Besides"

Alternative Expressions Similar to "Except for"

There are other phrases and expressions that also indicate exclusion, and knowing these can help add variety to your speech or writing. Here are a few alternatives:

1. But for

   • Example: Everyone but for John went to the meeting.
     (John was excluded; everyone else went.)

   • Explanation: This is a bit more formal than "except."

2. Other than

   • Example: Everyone other than John went to the meeting.
     (John was the only one who didn't go.)

   • Explanation: "Other than" is common in both spoken and written English.

3. Apart from

   • Example: Everyone apart from John went to the meeting.
     (John wasn’t part of the group that went.)

   • Explanation: Often used in British English, this means the same as "except."

4. Leaving out

   • Example: Leaving out John, everyone went to the meeting.
     (John wasn’t part of the group.)

   • Explanation: This phrase is more casual and conversational.

Which Expression is Most Common in Everyday Conversation?

If you’re speaking informally, two phrases are especially common:

• Other than

  • It’s direct and simple, and you'll hear it a lot in casual conversations.

  • Example: Everyone other than John went to the meeting.

• Apart from

  • This one is more common in British English but is widely accepted in conversation.

  • Example: Everyone apart from John went to the meeting.

Both of these expressions are great for casual or daily situations.

How to Remember the Difference Between "Except" and "Besides"

To wrap it up:

• Use except or except for when you want to leave someone or something out.

• Use besides when you want to add something extra.

• For variety, try using alternatives like other than, apart from, or leaving out.

By knowing these differences, you’ll sound more natural in English, especially when speaking casually with friends or colleagues.

Quiz: Test Your Understanding!

Let's check if you've got a good grasp of the differences between except and besides with a quick quiz.

1. Which word is used to exclude someone or something from a group?

   • a) Except

   • b) Besides

2. Which of these sentences uses "besides" correctly?

   • a) I like all the movies except the comedy.

   • b) Besides the chocolate cake, there were cookies too.

3. Which phrase is used when you want to show a specific exception?

   • a) Except

   • b) Except for

4. Which of the following is a synonym for "except"?

   • a) Apart from

   • b) But for

5. How would you describe a situation where everyone except for one person was invited?

   • a) Everyone but for John went to the party.

   • b) Everyone besides John went to the party.

6. Which phrase means "in addition to"?

   • a) Except for

   • b) Besides

7. True or False: "Except for" and "except" are always interchangeable.

8. Which sentence uses "except" correctly?

   • a) I like all the dishes except for the pizza.

   • b) Besides the pizza, I liked all the dishes.

9. What is the meaning of the sentence: "Besides him, everyone else was invited"?

   • a) He was invited, but no one else was.

   • b) He wasn't invited, but everyone else was.

10. Which phrase would you use to say someone is left out of a group?

    • a) Besides

    • b) Except

Expanded FAQ Section

Q1: Is "besides" used more in formal or informal situations?

• "Besides" is typically more common in informal, conversational English. You’ll hear it frequently in casual discussions. For example, “Besides John, everyone went to the meeting.”

Q2: Can "except for" be used with people, or is it only for things?

• "Except for" can definitely be used with people! For instance: "Except for Mary, everyone else has finished their homework."

Q3: How can I use "apart from" in a sentence?

• "Apart from" is often used in British English but is still widely understood. It means the same thing as "except." For example: “Apart from the rain, it was a perfect day.”

Q4: Which phrase would be more natural in spoken English: “except” or “except for”?

• In spoken English, both are fine, but “except for” tends to sound a bit more conversational and specific. You might say, “Everyone except for Lisa went home early.”

Q5: Is it okay to use "besides" in a negative sentence?

• Yes, you can! For example: "Besides the bad reviews, the movie was okay." This would mean that despite the bad reviews, the movie had other positive aspects.

Practice Challenge:

Think of a situation where you had to exclude or include something. Write it out and try using one of the phrases from this post to describe it. This will help you get comfortable with these expressions and use them more naturally in conversation.